November 26 is National Day of Listening, a day when participants take an hour to record an interview with a loved one. The stories told to us by our family and community members constitute our personal histories and give us a sense of ourselves. National Day of Listening was instituted as a way to honor those people and their experiences by preserving their stories, ensuring that they will be available to influence many future generations.The National Day of Listening encourages participants to set aside one hour to record a conversation with someone important to them. Your assignment in Creative Writing will be to conduct, record, and post on-line a digital copy of an interview with a person from an older generation. Complete Activities 1-4 today in class.
Activity #2: Listen to an example from last year's project
Last year, I interviewed my wife's grandmother, Jewel "Mimi" Johnson. After listening to the interview, I discovered many elements that I will be able to integrate into my own stories and poems. During the interview Jewel recounts an episode of "coon hunting" and what life was like in Sumter during the 1930's.
Activity #3: Create a National Day of Listening Wiki Page and post information
Create a National Day of Listening page on your Creative Writing wiki site
Post the name of the person you will interview.
Post a minimum of ten (10) questions you plan to ask during the interview.
Table of Contents
November 26 is National Day of Listening, a day when participants take an hour to record an interview with a loved one. The stories told to us by our family and community members constitute our personal histories and give us a sense of ourselves. National Day of Listening was instituted as a way to honor those people and their experiences by preserving their stories, ensuring that they will be available to influence many future generations.The National Day of Listening encourages participants to set aside one hour to record a conversation with someone important to them. Your assignment in Creative Writing will be to conduct, record, and post on-line a digital copy of an interview with a person from an older generation. Complete Activities 1-4 today in class.
National Day of Listening website
Activity #1: Watch the National Day of Listening DIY Video
Alternative Link to Video
If the video is blocked please instead go to the National Day Of Listening web site and read their introduction.
Activity #2: Listen to an example from last year's project
Activity #3: Create a National Day of Listening Wiki Page and post information
- Create a National Day of Listening page on your Creative Writing wiki site
- Post the name of the person you will interview.
- Post a minimum of ten (10) questions you plan to ask during the interview.
TIP: Use the StoryCorps Question Generator or the Great Questions List to help you identify the questions).Activity #4: Find or Borrow Recording Equipment
Your recording equipment can be as simple as a cell phone, a tape recorder, or a computer.Activity #5: Upload your interview clip to Teacher Tube
1. Audacity Users: Click below for instructions on how to convert your audio to mp3 format
2. Upload audio clip to Teacher Tube
Click here to visit Teacher Tube
Instructions on how to upload an audacity clip:
Activity #6: Embed your audio clip on your wiki page
Instructions on how to embed an audio clip